DOE: Gas stations can host charging areas for e-vehicles

MANILA, Philippines -
The Department of Energy (DOE) is looking into the possibility of putting
up charging stations for electric vehicles in gas stations to support the
growing e-vehicle industry.

In a statement, DOE
Secretary Alfonso Cusi said they have created an ad hoc technical working group
to determine the suitability of gasoline stations as charging areas for
e-vehicles.

The agency is now in
the process of updating the policy standards for existing gasoline stations to
accommodate charging stations.

“In preparation for the
booming electric vehicle industry, I instructed the DOE’s Oil Industry
Management Bureau and Energy Utilization Management Bureau to issue the
necessary policies that will support the development of infrastructures
complementing the e-vehicle industry, such as the availability of charging in
gasoline stations,” he said.

The lack of charging
stations in localities has been one the main issues e-vehicle players have
raised in pushing for developments in the industry.

This resulted in the
cancellation of the $504-million e-vehicles program of the DOE and the Asian
Development Bank (ADB). So far, 3,000 e-trikes have been rolled out aimed to
jumpstart the shift to e-vehicles to reduce the country’s fuel imports and
lessen annual carbon dioxide emissions.

Apart from including
e-vehicle charging areas, the DOE also wants to update standards for gas
stations to include other amenities such as the parking area, comfort rooms,
CCTVs and even convenience stores, among others.

“Apart from readying
electric vehicle infrastructures, we also want to strengthen our gasoline
stations’ consumer welfare and satisfaction through well-maintained and
functional amenities within its premises,” Cusi said.

Under the Implementing
Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 8479 or the Downstream Oil Industry
Deregulation Act of 1998, the DOE is empowered to subject all industry
participants to provide suitability of facilities for their proposed operation
in accordance with existing national and accepted international standards.

Based on existing policies,
this provision in the Oil Deregulation Law was reflected in the DOE’s Retail
Rules on Liquid Petroleum Products (Department Circular DC2003-11-010), wherein
the Philippine National Standards on Petroleum Products, Retail Outlets and
Health, Safety and Environment specifies that the building/structures (i.e.,
gasoline stations) shall have a sales office, toilet facilities and an
electrical/mechanical room.